Friday, August 15, 2014

The defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox entered Thursday night's game with a record of 54-65, last in the American League East. The team has been hampered by an offense that is 27th in the Major Leagues in runs scored. On the injury front, backup catcher Ryan Lavarnway, who has been on the 60-day DL, has been activated and optioned to Triple-A.

Lavarnway, who was drafted in the sixth round of the 2008 Amateur Draft, is batting .268 with two home runs and 14 RBI in 52 games this season. In 560 career Minor League games, Lavarnway has a batting average of .281 with 91 home runs and 376 RBI.

Lavarnway is just 0-for-4 in for games with the Red Sox this season. In parts of the last four seasons with the Red Sox, Lavarnway has a batting average of .205 with five home runs and 34 RBI in 92 games.